American Freedom McKeel: Welcome

14u AMERICAN FREEDOM (McKEEL)

The American Freedom Fastpitch Softball Club proudly announces that Iyhia McKeel will serve as the head coach of the new 14u American Freedom (McKeel). Coach McKeel (formerly Iyhia McMichael) also will serve as a roving coach and special hitting instructor, and assist with recruiting for all American Freedom teams..

The Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF) drafted Coach McKeel No. 1 in the 2004 draft. She led the Racers to the 2005 NPF Championship and was named the MVP of the 2005 NPF All-Star Game. Coach McKeel also was named NPF Player of the Year in her 2004 rookie season.

Coach McKeel is one of the most feared hitters to play in the NPF. During the 2005 season, McKeel hit .400 (62-155) with 12 doubles, three triples and 11 home runs. She drove in 35 runs, scored 56 times and stole 13 bases, posting a .684 slugging percentage and a .450 on-base percentage. In her 2004 rookie campaign, she won the NPF batting crown with a .349 average.

Coach McKeel graduated in 2004 from Mississippi State University, where she played four years for head coach Jay Miller, head coach of the United States National Team. Coach McKeel finished her collegiate career as a 2-time NFCA All American. She is the only player in history to earn SEC Athlete of the Year honors twice (2003 & 2004). She was a 3-time, 1st-team All SEC Team honoree.

Coach McKeel was named one of the three finalists for the USA Softball Player of the year in 2004. Coach McKeel has served as an assistant coach for the University of Virginia and a graduate assistant at Stephen F. Austin University. Coach McKeel is the new head softball coach at new Wylie East High School. She previously served two seasons as the head coach at Wills Point High School.

Unfortunately, Texas UIL rules prohibit all players who reside in the Wylie East High School boundaries or attend any middle school that feeds into Wyle East High School from participating in tryouts or playing with any American Freedom team.

Coach McKeel has taken over our 14u program because she is 100 percent committed to the American Freedom’s founding principle that an elite-level, college showcase program should be committed to the long-term development of players from within from 12u through 18u Gold. The American Freedom welcomes Coach McKeel to our program.

We invite every 14u eligible player to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity. All positions are open, including bracket pitching. Tryouts will be held Sunday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, at J.J. Pearce High School. If you are unable to attend this tryout, please contact us. For more information, please call us.